How to Make Temporary Workers Feel Welcome

Temporary workers, also called contingent workers, work for your business on a temporary basis, such as during busy periods. Temporary workers increasingly fill businesses' staffing needs.

Remember that when you employ a contingent worker, he or she should be a good match not only for your team, but also for the task at hand.

To motivate contingent workers

Match the task to the individuals’ skills. Give them work that taps their experience.

Set out the welcome mat. Although your contingent workers are only with the business temporarily, introduce them to their coworkers.

Make their responsibilities clear. Know what the workers will be doing before they arrive, not after, and let them know to whom they should direct questions.

Prepare a workspace. Make sure that they have everything they need to perform the job.

Offer guidance. Because contingent workers are new to your business, they’ll have more questions than full-time employees will.

Brief them on corporate culture. Even if they’re only with your business for a few days, contingent workers need to know how things get done.

Don’t take contingent workers for granted. Keep in mind that you may want them to come back someday. If they’ve done a great job, tell them. If their work needs improvement, offer constructive feedback.

Think of contingent workers just like you would any other employee. These workers aren’t a permanent part of your team. But they do work with your group to achieve results.